BALTIMORE -- The Orioles are extremely high on Shane Baz’s upside. That became obvious when they acquired the 26-year-old right-hander in a Dec. 19 trade with the Rays in exchange for a hefty package (four prospects and a Draft pick), and it became even more clear on Friday, when Baltimore signed Baz to a five-year, $68 million extension.
Baz could soon become a top-of-the-rotation arm. And while his O’s debut at Camden Yards on Sunday afternoon was a bit bumpy early, he settled in and showed glimpses of that potential in an 8-6 win over the Twins.
The Twins scored four runs in the second inning against Baz, who didn’t allow any other damage in a 5 1/3-inning start in the series finale. The Minnesota rally began with the bases loaded and no outs, then featured an RBI infield single by Trevor Larnach and a bases-clearing three-run double from Tristan Gray.
During the 78-pitch, 53-strike outing, Baz allowed seven hits while striking out four and not issuing any walks. He retired the Twins’ side in order in the first and third. He also escaped trouble after giving up a leadoff double in the fourth -- helped by an unassisted 5-3 double play from third baseman Coby Mayo -- and didn’t allow the Twins to score despite two-out doubles in both that frame and the fifth.
“I think it was just one of those days where the fastball command wasn't good at all, really, from start to finish,” Baz said. “It definitely got better as the game went on. It was just that one ugly stretch of at-bats where I'm falling behind or maybe getting ahead and then maybe pitches catching a little too much plate and stuff like that.
“But I was just happy that I attacked the whole day.”
Baz returned to the mound for the sixth and got Luke Keaschall to pop out on his final pitch.
"He wasn’t using his curveball much early, and then, he got back to using his curveball," manager Craig Albernaz said. "To me, it's kind of like an equalizer for him to kind of settle in, and he was really relying on his cutter early. And then, once he settled in, he got the curveball going, started getting the cutters into lefties, started mixing a couple of changeups, and then, it kind of just elevates his fastball quality."
Baltimore’s coaching staff has praised both Baz’s work ethic and skills since early in spring.
“He’s got a deeper bag than maybe the world and the game has seen at this point. I think he’s got some pitchability. He’s just so, so talented,” pitching coach Drew French said late in Spring Training. “You ask him to do something, and immediately, you see the outcome and you see the result that you want. It’s a special talent. ...
“He’s very receptive to feedback. But obviously, feedback is only as good as the guy who could put it into action, and he can do that almost instantaneously. I feel like that’s what separates him from some of the average out there.”
Baz has heard Albernaz say he could be an American League Cy Young Award winner one day, as well as the effusive praise from president of baseball operations Mike Elias. On Saturday, both Albernaz and Elias restated their belief in Baz, who became the highest-paid pitcher in Orioles history by signing the fifth-largest contract that’s been handed out by the club.
Baz thinks he can reach that level, too, but he knows it won’t happen without a lot of effort.
“I don’t think they’re wrong,” Baz said. “I think that I’m obviously confident in my ability. I know there’s a lot more stuff I can improve on and a lot of low-hanging fruit. I think they’re right, and just to have that belief behind me, I can get better at a few things that can make a really big difference.”